$250

Star Of Giselle Tops Tesio Stakes 2012 Odds

In flying form, the Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra-trained Star Of Giselle has opened the short priced favourite to continue their winning streak when she takes on a field of fellow mares in the last on Cox Plate Day this Saturday – the 2012 Tesio Stakes.

Registered this year as the Trojan Hand Tools Stakes, the $150,000 Group 3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) looks an open affair for the punters at Moonee Valley with five of the nine horses engaged under $10 in the latest markets.

Topping the current Tesio Stakes odds at bookmaker.com.au the nicely drawn Star Of Giselle (barrier two) at a quote of $3.20.

The five-year-old Reset mare has won her last two on the trot, most recently scoring her first black type victory in the Listed Race-Tech Classic over the Caulfield mile on Thousand Guineas Day, a race that has produced recent Tesio Stakes winners Lady Lynette (2010), Miss Badoura and Bird Of Fire who dead-heated in 2008, and 2007 co-dead heater Autumn Jeuney.

Saturday she sticks to the mile, which looks her pet distance as she has won both her 1600m starts to date, and steps up to Group company for the first time since the autumn for the Tesio Stakes 2012.

Kerrin McEvoy replaces Craig Williams, engaged to ride rival mare Hi Belle on Saturday for John Gunning, and dropping back from 56kg to 54.5kg looks the one to beat.

#1 Spirit Song ($4.40) – Nice barrier four draw, has the perfect form but needs to carry the 59kg topweight, Aaron Purcel’s surprise Toorak Handicap runner-up jumped at 20-1 in the Group 1 but you won’t get them at that price here, still going up from 52kg seven kilos is going to be noticeable

#2 Skyerush ($4.60) – Guy Walter-trained seven-year-old has been a consistent force over her entire 37-start career, ran a good first-up second to More Joyous in the Golden Pendant before a third over 1500m at Rosehill, surprisingly this will be her first ever look at Moonee Valley so how she handles the track is crucial to her chances

#3 Zurella ($7) – Four-year-old Zabeel mare was second in the NZ Oaks back in March, made an instant impact here when the first-up winner of the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington but below par runs last two out when seventh in the Naturalism and then 13th in the Turnbull Stakes, drops well back in class here but so can improve

#4 Hi Belle ($8) – Gunning’s six-year-old was another one that ran a good first-up effort in the Let’s Elope when 2nd but next two runs disappointing, last seen finishing second last in the Tristarc Stakes on Caulfield Cup Day, short back-up might be a bit of a stretch

To check out the full range of Moonee Valley racing odds for both the Manikato Stakes Night on Friday evening and Saturday’s Cox Plate Day head to bookmaker.com.au now.

Don’t forget too that if you are a new depositing customer at bookmaker.com.au to quote the limited-time-only promo code BONUSBET to unlock your bonus welcome bet valued up to a juicy $400!

Races.com.au

Races.com.au is here to provide you with the best coverage of Horse Racing from across Australia and around the World, including the Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing Carnival.* Bonus Bet offer for New customers only. Exc NSW, WA, SA & VIC. See T&Cs on bookmaker websites. Gamble Responsibly.